Do I have to rent a modem from AT&T?
It is important to note that ATT Fiber has been known to offer a free fiber modem/router when a customer opts for Fiber Internet service with ATT Fiber. Here are the details...
Modem Included With Installation
When getting connected to ATT Fiber AT&T Internet in your home or business, the normal subscription fee ($99 normally though it varies at times) entitles you to a fiber modem and a WiFi router both from ATT. This is often the ATT BGW320 modem or one of its kind. Thus, contrary to many cable modem services, you usually do not need to buy your modem when you get new fiber service.
The fiber gateway device is one single unit that has the modem and router functionalities. It has many Gigabit Ethernet ports for device connection via cable and the newest WiFi for a fast connection.
Thus Att will supply and install a modem/router free of charge to enable your ATT Fiber connection to operate optimally.
Fiber vs Cable Modems
It is crucial to note that there are two main high-speed internet services from ATT –AT&T Fiber Internet which relies on fiber optic cables and the Internet which employs coaxial cables. These have different standards set in terms of speeds, modems, connections, and so on.
ATT Fiber Internet is the newest fiber optic Internet service that can offer speeds up to one gigabit per second. This can be achieved by using a fiber modem to attach to a fiber line that is provided in the house or business establishment. For this reason, when ATT offers fiber Internet installation, it offers the ATT combined fiber modem and WiFi router.
Without this modem, ATT Fiber cannot work as the fiber cables transport data through light signals unlike the signal used by cable internet. As a result, this special modem must be capable of both receiving and transmitting this light data through a fiber optic line from the ATT network.
However, with conventional ATT Internet, which may consist of DSL or fixed wireless over phone lines or coaxial cables, customers may bring their modem. Therefore, modem specifications vary depending on whether the cable is fiber-optic or coaxial.
Leasing vs Buying Modem
To summarize, ATT does not charge an additional fee for leasing the fiber modem provided by the company. This is a one-time fee which means that as long as you are an ATT Internet customer, you can use their included modem with no extra charge.
You also have the flexibility to buy your fiber modem that is compatible with the ATT fiber network. However, make sure the modem is specifically certified by ATT to work on the fiber internet properly and buy them only. Some advantage of buying your own would be: Some advantage of buying your own would be:
More control & customization
Can upgrade when required for better specs
Removes the $15 ATT equipment rental fee (although ATT does not have this fee for fiber modems)
It also carries with it equipment when it moves unlike the ATT owned
However, for most residential customers, using the fiber modem/router that comes with ATT is usually convenient because it is already preconfigured and has been tailored for use with ATT fiber service. This is especially so if home networking equipment is to be installed by other means otherwise installation may be very cumbersome.
Router Needed Also
However, you should know that while the fiber modem is necessary to connect to the fiber optic line and Internet the WiFi router is also necessary for the network to distribute the signal among different devices such as computers, smartphones, and smart TVs and manage the connections between them.
ATT gateway modem unit comprises of a fiber modem as well as an express WiFi router in a single package. This saved the need for a separate router purchase and setup that one would normally have to do when using a normal modem.
However, as with the case with modems, if you wish, you can buy your compatible stand-alone router instead. Some like to do this to have more control over their WiFi and they are very cautious with it. Just note that you will still require the ATT fiber modem within your network for the actual ATT fiber internet. The router only gives you the WiFi and device networking part alongside the fiber modem’s link.
Therefore, to answer the question in brief, yes ATT does offer the needed fiber modem used in fiber Internet connection when installing the service. This combined unit also comes with features such as WiFi router compatibility. Offering this hardware helps the consumers avoid additional expenses on additional equipment that is needed for their service to work correctly.
Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.
